Just Got Engaged? What to Do Next & When to Book Your Photographer
You said yes!! Now what?
Firstly congratulations, enjoy being engaged! Before jumping straight into spreadsheets, timelines and wedding Pinterest boards, take some time to celebrate the two of you.
Once you're ready to start planning, it can be hard to know where to begin. There are so many decisions to make, and wedding planning advice can feel a little overwhelming.
So here's a simple place to start, especially when it comes to finding your wedding photographer.
1. Start Dreaming About Your Wedding
Before booking anything, think about what you actually want your wedding day to feel like.
Do you picture a big celebration with all your favourite people? A small intimate wedding? A beach ceremony? A forest setting? A garden, farm or mountain venue?
You don't need every detail figured out yet.
Having a general idea of the type of wedding you're planning will make the next steps much easier.
2. Choose a Wedding Date
Your date will usually be one of the first big decisions you make.
Once you have a date, you can start reaching out to your favourite vendors and checking availability.
If you're flexible with your date, that can also give you more options when it comes to booking your dream photographer or venue.
3. Choose Your Venue
Your venue will help shape so many parts of your wedding day, including your timeline, ceremony location, reception and photography opportunities.
For Vancouver Island couples, there are so many beautiful options, from beaches and forests to gardens, farms and mountain venues around Campbell River, the Comox Valley and beyond.
Your venue doesn't have to be booked before you start looking at photographers, but having your date and general location figured out can make the process easier.
4. Start Looking for Your Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer
This is where I recommend starting sooner rather than later.
Wedding photographers often book dates well in advance, particularly for popular summer and weekend dates.
Start by looking at photographers whose work genuinely feels like you.
Look at their full galleries, not just Instagram posts, and pay attention to how they photograph the entire wedding day.
Think about:
Do you love their editing style?
Do you like their approach to posing and candid moments?
Do you feel comfortable with their personality?
Do you like how they photograph different lighting and locations?
Does their wedding package fit what you're looking for?
5. Reach Out and Tell Me About Your Plans
When you're ready to book, send an inquiry though my contact form.
Tell me a little about your plans, including your wedding date, venue, approximate guest count and anything that's especially important to you.
I love hearing about the little details that make each wedding different.
From there, we can chat about your plans, photography coverage and which package might make the most sense for your day.
6. Think About How You Want Your Photos to Feel
This is just as important as the number of hours you're booking.
Do you want your photos to feel natural and candid?
Romantic?
Colourful?
Editorial?
Documentary?
Heavily posed?
There isn't a right answer. Your wedding photography should reflect you.
My own approach is relaxed, natural and colourful. I want to give you enough direction that you feel comfortable in front of the camera without turning your entire day into a photoshoot.
I'll capture the big moments, but I'm also looking for the little ones happening in between.
7. Consider Booking Your Engagement Session With Your Wedding Photographer
One of the nicest things about booking an engagement session with your wedding photographer is that you get to know each other before the big day.
Your engagement session gives you a chance to spend some time in front of the camera together, learn how your photographer gives direction and figure out what feels natural for you as a couple.
It also means that when your wedding day arrives, your photographer won't feel like a stranger. You'll already know what to expect, and you'll hopefully feel much more comfortable relaxing in front of the camera.
I love engagement sessions for this reason. They aren't just about creating beautiful photos to celebrate your engagement, they're also a chance for us to get to know each other, have some fun and get comfortable working together before your wedding day.
For couples who are nervous about having their photos taken, this can make a huge difference.
8. Decide How Much of Your Day You Want Photographed
Think about what matters most to you.
Maybe you want photographs starting with getting ready and continuing through the dance floor.
Maybe you mainly care about your ceremony, family photos and wedding portraits.
Once you know which parts of your day you want documented, it's much easier to choose the right amount of photography coverage.
And don't worry if you don't know yet, I can help you work through your timeline and figure out what makes sense.
9. Consider Adding 35mm Film
If you love a more nostalgic, timeless look, you can also add 35mm film photography to your wedding package.
I love using film alongside digital photography because they each bring something different to your gallery.
Digital allows me to document your day fully, while film adds beautiful grain, softness, colour and those little imperfections that give photographs a different feeling.
It can be especially beautiful for portraits, details and quiet moments throughout the day.
So... When Should You Book Your Photographer?
As soon as you've found someone whose work and personality you genuinely love and who is available for your date.
You don't need to contact twenty photographers just because you think you're supposed to.
Find a photographer whose work feels like you, whose approach makes you comfortable and whose package fits your needs.
Then reach out.
Just Got Engaged in Campbell River or the Comox Valley?
If you're recently engaged and planning a wedding in Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Courtenay or somewhere else on Vancouver Island, I'd love to hear about it.
I photograph weddings with a relaxed, natural approach, capturing the genuine moments, beautiful surroundings and all the little pieces that make your day yours.
And if you're not sure where to start with your photography timeline, coverage or portraits, that's okay too. We can figure it out together.
Natural, colourful photography for the people and moments that matter.
Campbell River • Comox Valley • Courtenay • Vancouver Island
Comments